Discussions By Condition: I cannot get a diagnosis.

Constant Diahrea

I am a 29 healthy female. I had my gallbladder out in 4 months ago. Some days I am fine for 4-5 days, then I get diahrea that is virulent and constant for days or weeks. I know that with gallbladder sugery, you cannot eat foods high and fat, so I have avoided those. I cannot find a connection to the food I eat and these "spells." I am frustrated with the doctors, because they simply keep referring me to someone else. Before I had my gallbladder out they did several tests (colonoscopy, ERCP, upper scope, bloodwork, ultrasound) and could only come to the conclusion that my gallbladder need to be removed. I have NEVER had any GI problems all of my life until now. I have missed numerous days of work and I am completely worn down due to the fact that I cannot keep any food in me. If anyone could offer any help, it would be greatly appreciated.

2 Replies:

Hi there, C.D.: Sounds like possible severe Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) to me. I was diagnosed at 14, which is way earlier than most, but only because I was missing so much school, had no social life, and severe depression due to my constant flares. Most IBS literarture seems to be Constipation related, which is an attention-needing condition in itself, but finding good literature on Diarrhea-IBS is not difficult to come by on most search engines. Especially pay attention to patient advice, vs "medical advice", as it tends to prove the most reliable, at least in my experience. IBS is covered under the American With Disabilities Act, if that's any indication as to just how disruptive it can be to daily life, and one's ability to function "normally" in society. Especially when many consider it the fall-back diagnosis when nothing *real* is wrong with you. Finding a good Gastroentertologist is the best advice I have, as your symptoms could easily be something more severe. In all honesty, though, I sympathize with you. I've been there...the GI trouble can be debilitating, embarassing, and easy to blame yourself for. Don't. There are millions of us going through the same thing...IBS is super-prevalent, just no one talks about it. Be patient, and try to develop a bit of a sense of humor about it. It helps, I promise. IBS is directly linked with anxiety and depression, and being positive can be a way to heal yourself. I'm sure you'll get it figured out, and if it IS IBS, there are some wonderful medications available. I highly recommend Pamine Forte (Be prepared, as most physicians are unfamiliar with it), though its much more popular insurance-covered cousins, Robinul and Levsin, aren't bad. They're just more heavy on the side effects. Good Luck. Feel better. You truly have my best wishes. -R.

I agree IBS (irritable bowel) could be it. My doctor said "Fiber Choice" an over-the-counter fiber supplment will solve that taking 2 three times a day but you'll get the ****s, better than IBS anyhow.This is assuming you're not taking any medicine regularly that can cause this like bipolar meds can cause chronic issues with that too. Maybe you could check that first before buying fiber for nothing.